Building and Construction Minister
Maurice Williamson will be the keynote speaker at the
upcoming New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)
conference to be held in Queenstown on June 13/14
2013.

The two-day national symposium at Hilton
Queenstown is open to professionals working in all areas of
the construction industry -- not just quantity surveying --
and Queenstown is playing host to the event for the first
time since 2003.

As a ‘nod’ to the Christchurch
earthquakes and the subsequent changing nature of
construction in New Zealand, the theme of the conference is
‘Shaken Not Stirred – A Solid Foundation for the
Future’.

Mr Williamson, whose portfolio includes
building and construction, statistics and land information,
said Quantity Surveyors played an ‘increasingly
important’ role in building and construction.

“The
Canterbury rebuild is a massive undertaking, and large
numbers of Quantity Surveyors will be needed to ensure the
rebuild is cost effective and accurately accounted for,”
Mr Williamson said.

The annual forum will host a multitude
of influential speakers representing industry bodies in
banking, construction and central government, covering a
variety of topics such as sustainability, eco building, the
economy and the effect of the earthquakes.

NZIQS
conference committee chair and Registered Quantity Surveyor
Mick Moffatt said there had been “significant change”
since the earthquakes and the conference presented a rare
opportunity to share thoughts and solutions on best practice
within the industry.

“The quakes certainly pose some
unique challenges we haven’t seen before,” he said.

“The conference provides a wealth of educational and
networking opportunities. We’ll hear from some exceptional
speakers with an array of experience who have a lot to share
and not just about the construction industry.”

Other
prominent keynote speakers include former head of the
Serious Fraud Office and current Queenstown Lakes District
Council CEO Adam Feeley.

“What a great place for the
members of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors
to have a conference. Taking a cue from the event theme, I
hope the delegates will be both shaken and stirred by
everything that Queenstown has to offer and leave inspired
by what they’ve seen and heard,” said Mr
Feeley.

Former New Zealand Olympic Chef de Mission Dave
Currie will also be a major drawcard at the event, expected
to attract over 100 delegates from around the country.

Mr
Currie has managed the New Zealand team through six Olympic
and Commonwealth Games and will share the “highs and
lows” of his career, incorporating the strategies behind
creating and maintaining a high performance environment.

Peter Degerholm, an expert in the Construction Contracts
Act, will also address delegates, as will Bruce Collins QC,
and Paula Hugens, managing director of sustainable and
passive house design company Green Being.

Ms Hugens will
lead an interactive discussion session and shares her
thoughts on sustainability, design and the
environment.

“We’ll ask the hard questions such as
‘Can you afford to ignore energy efficiency?’ and
question whether energy efficient design can be cost
effective and reduce costs,” said Ms Hugens.

There will
be plenty of networking opportunities throughout the two-day
event, culminating in a James Bond-themed Gala Dinner at
Stoneridge Estate on the last night.

Former New Zealand
cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee, regarded as one of the
greatest fast bowlers and all-rounders in cricketing
history, will attend the dinner and regale guests with
anecdotes from his extensive international career spanning
four decades.

“We’re privileged to have such a high
calibre of speakers under one roof and it’s a great
opportunity to learn more about our industry, network with
peers and of course socialise,” said Mr Moffatt.

Held at
The Hilton Queenstown, other speakers will be announced
nearer the event. Registrations can be done online at www.nziqs.co.nz or
emailing accounts@nziqs.co.nz.

About the NZIQSThe New Zealand
Institute of Quantity Surveyors, based in Wellington, is run
by a national committee of elected Quantity Surveyors who
provide support to its members, and promote the highest
ethical and educational standards for the profession of
quantity surveying. The organisation also acts as an
advocate for all quantity surveyors on construction industry
and quantity surveying education issues nationwide.

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